The Honda Racing rider had modest expectations ahead of the weekend, acknowledging it would be Honda’s first race back after a yearlong hiatus in 2014.

Aiming for consistent top six finishes to place him in line with the showdown contenders, Linfoot actually left the Leicestershire circuit having fought tooth and nail for victory right up until the closing stages of the second race.

“I initially sat down with my crew chief and told him I was going to Donington with a podium on my mind and immediately he told me to calm it. He reminded me it’s a long season and I know that, so I sort of took a back step and decided I’d be happy to come home with two top fives, or something around the showdown area. I never thought I’d be coming away with a second place but every race is different!

“We’re still working with the bike, we had a few balance issues which got better and better in every session and in race two the bike had improved another chunk. Our pace was a little bit better than the first race and we were able to fight at the front.

“I’m massively grateful to Honda, all this goes back to Alex’s [Lowes] day, with him and Jason pushing the bike forward. It’s really nice to do this at the first round as it’s set us up for the rest of the season. If it had taken us four, five or even six rounds to get a podium then it could be difficult to get in the showdown.”

Having come to the first round with different expectations to the results achieved, the Yorkshireman admits this changes his outlook moving forwards in the championship.

“I guess this does changes things a little bit, once you’ve had a sniff at the podium the target is to remain there. If I come away from Brands with two fifths, yeah it won’t be as strong of a weekend for us but as long as I keep at it throughout the year with the odd podium it puts me in with a good chance of getting in to the showdown. Of course I’d like to get into the showdown with more podium credits to give me a better chance of fighting for the championship in those last few rounds.”

Linfoot took his first British Superbike podium just last year and has come on leaps and bounds since. At Donington it was clear he had a real chance of victory and he reckons with Honda he’s perfectly placed to take his debut win.

“That win is what I want and that’s why I go training twice a day to put myself in the position to be able to do that. I’m as determined as anybody to make that happen and by being with Honda I’ve got a fantastic chance and if I can take a win soon, or this year, then that will only boost my confidence even more.”

The second round of the 2015 British Superbike Championship kicks off at Brands Hatch this weekend.